MyDreamCar

My baby is not feeling well - it started a few months ago when it began to struggle to start on the odd occasion. I was using Optimax at the time - I changed to Esso and the problem went away for a month. Then it all began again, sometimes hot starts, sometimes cold starts, it allways goes with a push-start - but this is far from convenient - especially if you are on your own. Its been in to a "specialist" who replaced the fuel pump, spark plugs and ignition coils (£300) - it ran perfectly again for another 3 weeks and now its doing it again. Yesterday I spent £70 on a new battery - it started once and then an hour later wouldnt start.
What happens is it turns over (especially now new battery) but wont strike up - sometimes it cranks for a few seconds before starting - other times it just never starts.

Please, Please, please ideas needed - Ive spent £400 now and it still doesn't go, its embarrasing, frustrating and very upsetting. The car is a 95WRX, I want to remember it fondly - not as an expensive mistake!!!
Phil

chrisp

The only time I had real problems starting was when I pressed the throttle when trying to start and totally confused the knock sensor. You seem to have done the obvious stuff maybe tiem to chuck it at a specialist or a good Subaru garage and check out the error codes.

MyDreamCar

It has been plugged in to check out the error codes - and as luck would have it - no error codes were registered on the ECU!!! The real frustrating bit is its been to a well regarded specialist twice now and they seem baffled (either that or they want to replace everything in order to charge me a bl00dy fortune!!)
Phil

Andrew Timmins

Could be crank or cam position sensors.

A problem with one of these can give the symptems you describe.

KEVWRX95

I have a jap 95 wrx, and had similar start up problems,I cleaned the sensor ( I believe this is the MAF sensor) behind the air filter inside the black square box with the wires going to it ( sorry if you know this already) I used engine cleaner, brake cleaner can also be used.I sprayed it directly on to the sensor that hangs down inside, and watched the dirt fall off into a small puddle.Put it all back together again and it was perfect.What sort of air filter have you got? This may explain why it was dirty in the first place, I have a blitz and I'm hearing some bad things about it!!!!!!!!

hope this helps!

dnb

Sounds like either a bad connection to a sensor (maybe an earth wire come adrift...), or a dirty sensor or two.

Lots of easy things to try, costing no more than £5. I find that most people overlook the obvious things at times!

Good luck! If I were visiting the folks for Xmas, I'd have had a look at it with you - they live quite close...

[Edited by dnb - 12/15/2002 1:11:53 PM]

mutant_matt

Perhaps it's a dodgy Earth? You could try replacing the Earth strap or just cleaning up the connectors, and/or adding a few more. You could have a look at this thread to see what's involved. I'm not saying this is your problem but it's a possibility and Trout had a misfire which he fixed in this way.

Good luck,

Matt